Use Your Craft. Period.

I had the pleasure, and the honor, to spend the evening with a large group of really amazing people recently.  These people were hairstylists and colleagues, professionals and social service executive directors, friends and supporters.  They’d come together to show their support and enthusiasm for Color It Forward, Inc..  The movement of the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit through the beauty industry has sparked an interest and a desire for hairstylists and beauty professionals to give back to a population of women who need our services the most. 

All this because of a vocation.  OUR vocation.  And in my opinion, it’s the absolute best!  Right?

Let’s back up a bit…I’m a word girl…Have you ever thought about the word “vocation”?  The Latin root, “vocation” means “a call, summons.”  I’m particularly drawn to the root of the word “vox”, which means “voice”.  Our vocations, whatever they may be, are our voices into this world.  I think about this when I talk to my three kiddos about what they might want to do when they “grow up”.  And I’d actually encourage everybody to think this way:  what do you want to say to the world?  What change do you want to make with that voice?  How will you use your craft?

The industry is beauty, and our vehicle is hair.  The subjects are the individuals who sit in our chairs week after week, and as far as I’m concerned, each one is a gift.  They allow us to share our talents with them, collaboratively.  They give us their canvases.  And without them, we would not have anyone to listen to our voices, nor would THEY have US to listen to theirs.

At Color It Forward, our clients are anything but blank canvases.  They come from many situations that require some TLC, but mostly we simply need to listen a little bit deeper.  Many times the answer is simply a natural shade, a medium brown, an N or some grey coverage…sometimes we throw some beautiful copper or red tones into it.  Many times an accent foil, an occasional balayage, nothing too crazy.  Every effort is appreciated and every ounce of interest and good work is cherished, soaked right into her heart, adding a few loving doses of self-esteem.  These gals need that, more than any client you’ll ever know.

Creativity is important in our vocation and comes in many forms:  texture, color, shape, and technique. With the Color It Forward client, creativity comes in the form of conversation, because rarely do we talk about shopping sprees and furniture purchases.  We talk about books and friends and relationships and regrets.  The initiative can even go as far as discussing what her dream home would be like, how and where she sees herself and her children doing in 5 years, what it will be like to be self-sufficient.

There is nothing more interesting to me than a life in transformation.  That is why I love what I do. 

What do you enjoy the most about your vocation?